A qualitative study of women in Malawi who chose not to take HIV treatment as part of the country’s Option B+ programme, or who interrupted their treatment, has found that needing more time to think, concerns about partner support, and side-effects were important reasons for declining to take HIV treatment.

“As I was developing into adulthood I started looking at a wide range of online media platforms searching for information on HIV prevention services and where l could access them. I just had a feeling that when I visited the nearest health facility the service providers might eavesdrop the service which I wanted to access.”

Access to antiretroviral treatment is worryingly low in West and Central Africa, with little priority given to HIV in the region, according to a report from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Currently, just 24% of people have access to treatment in the region.

Although more Ugandan men are seeking medical circumcision, the government is falling short of its 80 per cent target. This has led some health experts to ask if Uganda should adopt a new strategy to encourage more men to come forward.